2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 most often report the transmission shifting into neutral or park while driving, often without a warning light, and crankcase ventilation valve faults that trigger check engine lights and rough running. Sunroof glass or panel failures, instrument cluster or rear camera blackouts, and airbag warning lights tied to the steering-column clockspring are also described, along with repair waits. Where mileage is stated, transmission reports fall between about 40,000 and 80,000 miles, while crankcase valve reports range from about 30,000 to about 110,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifting into neutral or park while driving

   • 8 complaints (16%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the transmission shifting unexpectedly into neutral or park while driving, often with no warning light, and some describe a loss of acceleration or power as a result. Complaints describe this happening at traffic lights, at low speed, and on the highway, with messages such as transmission error or do not shift. In some reports the car restarted and was driven on, and in others it was towed, with the transmission still not repaired. According to complaints, the dealer diagnosed an internal transmission control fault, and some say the problem continued after repairs. Where mileage is stated, reports range from about 40,000 to about 80,000 miles, and some occur at low speed in traffic.

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether any transmission control module software updates or transmission repairs appear in the service records, and check for stored transmission fault codes with a scan tool. During a test drive, shift between drive and reverse and stop at a light to confirm the gear selector holds its position and the car does not move into neutral.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle is a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic with 79,779 miles. It is actively experiencing the severe, hazardous drivability issues detailed in your filings—specifically, unexpectedly rejecting gears and shifting into Neutral or Park when coming to a complete stop. This condition leaves the vehicle completely stranded at intersections, creating an immediate and unreasonable risk of a rear-end collision. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11765106, filed 2026-09

   “I was driving on the freeway and the transmission shifted into neutral and the car lost power. The Red malfunction lights came on and said transmission malfunction, DO NOT SHIFT, STOP driving immediately, contact dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11625915, filed 2024-11
2. 2
   Engine

   Crankcase ventilation valve faults and rough running

   • 10 complaints (20%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe check engine lights with diagnostic codes for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve or crankcase ventilation system. Some report hesitation, jerking at low speed, or jumps in acceleration, and some describe pressure build-up in the system. Quotes for the repair at the dealer are described as running into the thousands of dollars, and owners say a similar crankcase ventilation recall covers other models but not this one. Where mileage is stated, these reports range from about 30,000 to about 110,000 miles, and some describe rough running at low speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the crankcase ventilation valve or its line has been checked or replaced, and request any diagnostic codes from the dealer's records. During a test drive, accelerate gently at low speed to check for hesitation or jerking, and confirm the check engine light stays off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am filing a complaint regarding my 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. My vehicle recently triggered a check engine light and was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with code P052E, related to the positive crankcase ventilation regulator valve / crankcase ventilation system. My mechanic advised that this issue appears to be similar to a known Mercedes-Benz issue affecting other model years and/or related Mercedes models. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11745674, filed 2026-06

   “My Car's warranty expired in Dec 2022 and a few months later the engine light came on. It stayed on for a few weeks than was turned off by itself. In Dec 2023, the engine light came back on again. I also noted jerks when driving slow (10 miles/h). Upon checking with Mercedes Benz of Tri Cities-Richland, WA, spending $400 on diagnostics, the staff quoted me $3500 for Crank Case Ventilation replacement. This is a really expensive part/labor and it is ridiculous that Mercedes does a poor job! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11585554, filed 2024-04
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Panoramic sunroof glass or panel failures

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • median 45,695 mi at 3.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe panoramic sunroof glass shattering without warning, including at highway speed, and in other reports while the car was stationary. Further complaints describe the front roof panel in front of the sunroof detaching, which the complaint links to glue weakened by sun exposure, and a sunroof that would not close fully while water leaked inside. Some say the vehicle was not included in the recall, and the dealer wanted to charge a fee just to inspect the damage. Mileage is rarely stated, and where it is, the sunroof reports give about 45,700 miles; glass shattering is described at highway speed or while the car was stationary.

   Recall 23V854000Recall 18V912000

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether the front roof panel bonding recall and the sunroof water leak recall have been completed, and request the repair records. During a test drive, open and close the sunroof, check the front roof panel for gaps or looseness, and confirm the sunroof closes fully.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I got home and while waiting for my garage to open the panoramic sunroof explode and shatter with no reason, luckily it did not happened in the freeway, I read that happens before to a pilot. The dealer wants to charge $250.00 just to check a broken sunroof and wont accept the defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #11437378, filed 2021-10

   “Sunroof glass exploded without warning while driving at highway speed. Glass shards poured throughout the vehicle including on the driver, potentially putting the vehicle and other vehicles in danger.”

   NHTSA complaint #11748081, filed 2026-07
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster, display, and rear camera faults

   • 12 complaints (24%)
   • median 59,762 mi at 7.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe instrument clusters or dashboards turning off and on, going blank, or showing warning lights, with speedometer and fuel displays going dark. Others report backup camera images that work only some of the time or stop working, and screens that stay black when the car starts. A report also describes electrical panel, sunroof, and seat functions failing, and complaints say the same issue returned after the dealer reported repairs. Mileage is rarely stated; where it is, the rear camera report gives about 31,000 miles, and the cluster and screen faults are described at startup or while driving.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the dealer for records of cluster, head unit, or camera repairs, and whether the reversing camera bulletin for no image in the head unit was applied. During a test drive, select reverse with the vehicle stationary to confirm the rear view image appears, and check that the instrument cluster shows speed, fuel, and warning lights normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Subject: Urgent: Electrical Issues Causing Frequent Dashboard crashes I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a recurring problem with my vehicle's electrical system, specifically the dashboard. Over the past few days, I have been experiencing frequent crashes where the dashboard turns off and on intermittently, rendering various functions inoperable. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11544654, filed 2023-09

   “In July 2022 I was a few miles from my home when the cluster starting showing warning lights. It started scrolling inoperative power brakes, inoperative steering and inoperative parking. Also the cluster was completely lit up. I turned the car around and put it in my garage. This is where the issues really started. The car would not go into park or turn off. I sat with my foot on the brake for 30 minutes trying to continue turning the car off or put in park. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11493542, filed 2022-11
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag system faults and recall repair waits

   • 8 complaints (16%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe airbag warning lights and steering-column clockspring faults, sometimes with the horn or steering wheel controls stopping and a clicking noise when turning the wheel. Some report that the frontal airbag recall repair could not be done because parts were unavailable, and that the manufacturer did not assist. A report also describes airbags not deploying in an accident, and warnings are described after a battery discharge and jump-start. Where mileage is stated, these reports range from about 2,000 to about 68,000 miles.

   Recall 17V627000

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether the frontal airbag recall 17V627000 repair has been completed, and request the repair order. Before buying, confirm the airbag warning light is off after startup and ask a mechanic to scan the airbag and steering column systems for stored fault codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After the vehicle's main battery fully discharged and the vehicle was jump-started, multiple SRS / driver airbag warnings appeared immediately, the horn and steering wheel controls stopped working, and a clicking noise developed in the steering column when turning the wheel. None of these symptoms existed before the battery discharge / jump-start event. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11764183, filed 2026-09

   “The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the clockspring in the steering column was fractured and made inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V627000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11509710, filed 2023-03, 45,000 miles

Buying note. Ask the seller or a mechanic to check the service history for transmission and crankcase ventilation work, and to confirm that any recall repairs were completed. During a test drive, check that the gear selector holds its position and that the sunroof, instrument cluster, and rear camera work normally.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 45 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.